GERMAN CHORUS SINGING AT 70

The German-American Singers recently performed at Rosemont's Hofbrauhaus Oktoberfest.

The German-American Singers recently performed at Rosemont's Hofbrauhaus Oktoberfest. (Posted by ANITA FUCHS, Community Contributor)

Community Contributor ANITA FUCHS

The German-American Singers of Chicago will celebrate 70 years of song on Sunday, November 6, at Avalon Banquets in Elk Grove Village. The 55-voice mixed chorus was founded in 1935 in the heart of Chicago's ethnic German-American community. Originally known as the "Senior Chor", it was the natural outgrowth of the Children's Chorus ("Kinderchor") and continues today to uphold its heritage and culture by performing works of the Great Masters in addition to traditional German folk songs, Americana and more recently jazz and contemporary works. In addition to several recordings, the chorus has performed locally and internationally on concert stages, for religious and secular events, and private and public venues. Though many ethnic choruses have suffered from declining membership, in recent years the German-American Singers have enjoyed increasing membership through social activities in addition to its energetic and enthusiastic musical leadership.

At its anniversary concert, the chorus will debut "Sing!" an arrangement written by the chorus director, Glen Sorgatz,, based on Louis Prima's jazz hit, "Sing, Sing, Sing!" Sorgatz - himself an accomplished trumpet player - reenacts Benny Goodman's famous 1938 Carnegie Hall performance and incorporates well-known American and German songs of singing and harmony into the choral arrangement.

For general information on the chorus and its performance schedule, or to inquire about advance tickets (required) for their anniversary concert and dinner-dance, visit their website at germanamericansingers.com, or email inquiries to gasingers70@gmail.com.

This item was posted by a community contributor. To read more about community contributors, click here.